Hajj corruption case: Court reserves verdict

Release of two convicts who have completed sentences has been sought

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) reserved its verdict on Wednesday on the applications seeking release of two convicts of the hajj corruption case who have completed their sentence of six years imprisonment, and are behind the bars only because they have not yet paid the fine imposed on them.

IHC Chief Justice Muhammad Anwar Khan Kasi reserved verdict on the applications of the former joint secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs, Raja Aftabul Islam, and the then DG (Hajj), Rao Shakeel, after their counsels argued for their release from jail.

On June 3, Judge Malik Nazir Ahmad of the special court (central) had awarded six years imprisonment each on two counts to the former federal minister for religious affairs, Hamid Saeed Kazmi, Shakeel and Islam.

The court had also imposed a fine of approximately Rs147. 4 million each while declaring it the worst example of corruption.

The counsel requested the court to allow them to submit sureties against the fine imposed on them so that they were released from jail.

They said that the Islam and Shakeel had already completed their sentences and if the court nullifies their conviction, there would be no need to pay the fine, and if the court upholds the verdict, they would further seek relief or pay the fine.

The court has reserved verdict only on the applications seeking release, while the main petitions challenging conviction and requesting the court to set aside the verdict will continued to be heard.

According to a report of the Superintendent of Central Prison, Rawalpindi, the convicts have completed their jail term and are behind the bars only because they have not yet paid the fine imposed on them.

In the report, the jail authorities stated that the convicts remained in jail being under-trial prisoner (UTPs) before being released on bail.

Apart from the time spent being the UTPs, they earned remission and the total period of their sentence has completed.

As per the report, the only hurdle for them in becoming free men again is the payment of fine.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 21^st, 2016.